Sex- and Age-Specific Differences in Single-Leg Balance Performance Among Young Competitive Ski Racers: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Buse S, Raschner C, Stojan R, Julian R. · International journal of sports physiology and performance · 2026
Purpose: This study examined sex- and age-specific differences in single-leg balance performance among young competitive alpine ski racers to better understand developmental trajectories of postural control and their implications for individualized training and performance development.
Methods: A total of 264 elite youth ski racers (114 females; aged 14-19 y) were tested annually between 2016 and 2022 performing a single-leg balance task on the MFT Challenge Disc 2.0. Balance performance was assessed separately for the left and right leg, and a Limb Symmetry Index was calculated to quantify interlimb asymmetry. Linear mixed-effects models evaluated the effects of sex, age, and their interaction on balance outcomes, with height included as a covariate.
Results: Female athletes consistently demonstrated superior single-leg balance performance compared with males across all age groups (β ≈ 0.4, P
Conclusion: Female youth ski racers outperformed males in single-leg balance, likely due to anatomical and maturational factors, such as a lower center of mass and earlier pubertal onset. Balance improved with increasing age, emphasizing the combined influence of neuromuscular development and cumulative training exposure. These
Findings: highlight the importance of incorporating sex- and age-specific balance training in alpine skiing to optimize performance.